Makawao Man Airlifted from Makamakaole Gulch in Kahakuloa

At 3:20 p.m. on Monday, May 15, 2017, fire rescue crews responded to Makamakaole Gulch near mile marker 8 of Kahekili Highway for a male that was not able to climb back up a 30 foot waterfall.

Wailuku firefighters arrived at 3:39 p.m. and met with the father of the 20-year-old Makawao man that was stuck at the bottom of the waterfall. The father said his son was too exhausted to climb back up the 30 foot vertical rock face using only a rope.

The department’s Air-1 helicopter was used to lower a firefighter by rope to reach the man who was about a half-mile makai of the highway. After securing him into a harness, the man was airlifted to a landing zone on Kahekili Highway where he was reunited with family members. The man was uninjured and did not need medical attention.